Mary I who was known in France as Marie Stuart and in Scotland and England as Mary Queen of Scots was born on 8 December 1542 at Linlithgow Palace, Linlithgow, which is about 20 miles from Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. Her father was King James V of Scotland and her mother was the French born Mary of Guise. Mary was the couple’s only surviving child.
Firstly, by around 1400 the distinction between the Highlands and the Lowlands was firmly established. A scholarly man named John of Fordun had this to say about the differences between the highlanders and the lowlanders in 1380:
“The people of the coast are of domestic and civilised habits, trusty, patient, and urbane, decent in their attire, affable, and peaceful, devout in Divine worship, yet always ready to resist a wrong at the hands of their enemies. The highlanders and people of the islands, on the other hand, are a savage and untamed nation, rude and independent, given to rapine, ease-loving, clever and quick to learn, comely in person, but unsightly in dress, hostile to the English people and language, and, owing to the diversity of speech, even to their own nation, and exceedingly cruel. They are however faithful and obedient to their king and country, and obedient to their king and country, and easily made to submit to law, if properly governed.”
Henry VIII proposed upon the birth of Mary that England and Scotland be united through the marriage of Mary to his son Prince Edward. Henry also wished that Mary move from Scotland to England where he could ensure her education. However, Cardinal Beaton rose to power once again and prefered a much more pro- French alliance as France was Catholic. Henry was angered as he wished to break any alliance with France and with the Vatican in Rome.
In 1597 he set up three burghs within the Highlands with the intention of permitting a number of the lowlanders to rule. With the strengthening Campbell clan as well as the detest for the lowlanders of the Highlanders and the Islanders, a lot more disruption was to follow. It was costing the King greater expense than he cared to pay.
Scots history and Scotland travel should be experienced so why not enjoy Scotland travel today.
